RENO, Nev. - Nevada soccer head coach Vanessa Valentine will compete on the U.S. Women's Beach Soccer National Team in the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games Qualifiers in El Salvador starting Thursday. 

Valentine, who was named the head coach of Nevada Soccer on November 22, 2022, returns to the USWBSNT after playing with the team during the 2022 ANOC World Beach Qualifiers and the 2021 Women's Intercontinental Cup. 

"Ever since I was a little girl, the thought of being on a U.S. National Team and wearing that jersey has always been a dream of mine," Valentine said. "I couldn't pass up having another opportunity with the USWBSNT. It's always been a dream of mine to represent the United States, wear that national team jersey and compete at the highest level possible."

The USWBSNT will compete against the Bahamas on Thursday at 3 p.m. PT in the ANOC World Beach Games Qualifiers. The Americans will then face Trinidad and Tobago on Friday at 3 p.m. PT. Valentine will play her last match with the team in the event on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT against El Salvador. 

The top two teams in the qualifying event will compete in the ANOC World Beach Games in August. 

As a player and a three-time captain for Cal State Fullerton, Valentine was a three-time All-Big West honoree while playing for the Titans. Valentine played professionally in the WPSL for 10 years, spending time with Beach FC, the LA Strikers, San Diego United and the Colorado Force. She also played one season with the Philadelphia Independence in the National Women's Soccer League.

Prior to leading the Pack, Valentine served as an assistant coach at Cal for one season. She played an instrumental role in Cal's 10-win season and at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2022. 

Valentine has previously served as a head coach for the LA Galaxy San Diego Women's Premier Soccer League Team and Cal Poly Pomona. Her previous stops as an assistant coach include Oregon State, Seattle Pacific and Hope International. She has also spent time coaching youth soccer at a variety of age ranges for some of the most decorated clubs in Southern California, including three different U.S. Soccer Development Academies.

Nevada soccer is coming off a 2-1 victory at Chico State in its first spring match of 2023. The Pack will play its first home match of the spring season on April 15 at 1:30 p.m. against San Francisco State at Mackay Stadium. Admission to all Nevada soccer home spring matches is free.